The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County

by Mark Twain

Overview

"The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," also published under the title of “Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog,” and as “The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,” is a short story written by Mark Twain in 1865; one that brought him his first national attention as a short story writer.

Twain first wrote this particular short story for inclusion in an upcoming book of short stories published by a friend, but he didn’t get it completed to his satisfaction in time so it was submitted to, The Saturday Evening Press, instead, where it appeared in the November 18, 1865 edition titled as "Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog"

Twain's colorful story was immensely popular, and was soon printed in many different magazines and newspapers.

The humorous tale tells of a man named Jim Smiley who had a reputation for being willing to bet on almost anything. When he decided to bet that his frog could outjump anyone else’s frog, though, complications set in.

* This short story is now in the public domain.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940011976117
Publisher:	Jeanne Gibson
Publication date:	12/21/2010
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	54 KB

About the Author

Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835 – 1910), better known as Mark Twain, was an American author and humorist.

Most school American school children are most familiar with his novels, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, written in 1885, and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, written in 1876, but he also wrote many other books and stories.

Twain was very popular, and noted for his wit and satire. Upon hearing that his death had been reported in the newspapers, he replied, “The report of my death was an exaggeration.”

Date of Birth:

November 30, 1835

Date of Death:

April 21, 1910

Place of Birth:

Florida, Missouri

Place of Death:

Redding, Connecticut